A veld fire broke out near King Shaka International Airport on the N2 Southbound, after the ramp from Modloli Street, causing significant traffic disruptions on Friday.
N2 Southbound traffic affected by fire near King Shaka International Airport
The left lane was closed as a precaution, and motorists were advised to drive carefully. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage.
The timing of the fire has raised questions, as it coincides with ongoing tensions between Durban law enforcement and taxi associations, leading to major traffic disruptions across the city.
On the same day, protesting taxi drivers had blocked several key routes, including parts of the N3 highway and roads leading into the city, causing kilometres-long traffic jams.
Is this linked to Durban taxi shutdown?
While the cause of the veld fire near King Shaka International Airport is yet to be determined, it emerged amid widespread protests by taxi drivers in Durban.
The protests, which have led to significant traffic congestion, are driven by frustrations over the impounding of long-distance taxis due to permit issues.
Drivers have reported that their permit applications with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport have been pending for months, leading to the impounding of their vehicles and hefty fines for their release.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has distanced itself from the unauthorised protest.
Santaco KZN’s Sifiso Shangase stated that the council did not mandate the protest and is working to identify those responsible.
The impoundment of taxis over permit issues has been a longstanding grievance among drivers, who claim that the Department of Transport has been slow to process their applications.
One taxi driver expressed their frustration, stating:
“Our main issue is that there are a number of our permit applications that are with the [KwaZulu-Natal] Department of Transport and they don’t get approved. When we put them [taxis] on the road, they get impounded and we are required to pay huge amounts of money for their release. We are tired and want the department to address this.”
The protest has led to severe traffic disruptions in areas such as Greyville and along the N3 highway, with burning tires being used to obstruct roads.
Despite some roads being reopened, many routes remain heavily congested as law enforcement attempts to manage the situation.